Before the Run: 145 mg/dL

Just before starting a run, per the doctor’s instruction, “…be sure your glucose level is reading between 140-150 mg/dL…” Well today, the CGM indicated I was at 145 mg/dL just before the run. Approximately every 10-20 minutes, I checked the receiver and watched the sugar levels continue to rise…so stressful to watch the sugar rise, especially while running! I knew as soon as I completed my run I would administer the insulin needed to bring the sugar right back down. I did exactly that however, during the time it took me to complete my run and take my insulin, my sugar had risen to 225 mg/dL, and even after taking the insulin, I knew I would not see results of lower glucose levels for at least another 30 minutes and, that I would need to consume about 15-20 grams of carbs just to make the insulin work! What a disaster. It’s not always like that however…that’s what makes TYPE I DIABETES so challenging…so many factors to consider when managing the glucose levels. Perhaps I was stressed more than I understood during the run, perhaps I was still digesting, very slowly, my breakfast…Perhaps I was running too fast and as a result, suffered the ramifications of fight-or-flight response. Some days it feels like I don’t even have TYPE I because the sugar levels are so consistent and in the normal range and other days, well, it’s a whirlwind of unexpected highs and lows. That’s why diabetes sucs.